(Bachata) This move is one Reel away from disaster~ How to stay safe + still look cool! Ian & Amanda's Saturday Class

“When my body is completely loose and I'm going down, the head doesn't lead — the lower body has to go down first, always.”

CONTEXTExplaining the order for going down safely in a dip

“You bring the lower body all the way down and set your balance first — then even when you drop the head, the balance is already there.”

CONTEXTExplaining that in a dip you have to set the lower-body balance before dropping the head last

“Keep your balance centered over both feet, and your head should be the last thing to drop.”

CONTEXTCalling out the habit of dropping the upper body first, and stressing the right order

“Even if you feel like leading with your head, when you whip it, don't shift your weight over toward the guy — stay centered over both feet and come up a little more toward the back. Then he doesn't have to carry you.”

CONTEXTFrom the follower's side, the safe way to hit the head musically on the way up out of a dip

“Guys, socials throw you more curveballs than you'd think. If she suddenly comes up, you've got to get out of the way fast.”

CONTEXTStressing the leader's quick reflexes when a partner does something unexpected on the social floor

“Right now you've dumped a lot of weight on him, so if he suddenly lets go of your hand, this is what happens.”

CONTEXTDemonstrating the accident that happens when the follower is loading up her weight and the leader releases her hand

“If you stay light from the moment you go down into the dip, then she doesn't end up loading all her weight on you.”

CONTEXTA tip for the way down, to keep weight accidents from happening in the first place

“Ladies, don't worry about any of that — once you're down there, take your time and enjoy it a little. He let go of your hand precisely so you'd be free to do your thing.”

CONTEXTReframing the moment after the dip, when the hand comes off, as a styling moment for the follower to play in